Harness-buckle.



PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904.

M. E. ZBLLER.- HARNESS BUCKLE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, i903.

NO MODEL.

v"wenn fil?.

WITNESSES =i NITED STATES? Patented September 13, 1904.

MELANCTHON E. ZELLER, OF BLUFFTON, QHIO.

HARNESS-BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,035, dated September 13, 1904.

Application led July 13, 1903. Serial No. 165,217. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern.:

Beit known that I, MnLANcTHoN E. ZELLER. of Bluffton, Allen county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Harness-Buckle, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved buckle in place. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. .3 is a bottom plan view of the buckle detached, and Fig. I is a side elevation of the same.

My invention relates to the class of harnessbuckles having shields, and is designed to provide an improved device of this character wherein a projecting lug is placed on the end cross-bar to retain and fasten the strap in position without sewing.

In the drawings, 2 2 represent the side bars of a buckle which is curved or arched longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.. The side bars are connected by the end bars 3 and 4 and by the intermediate shield 5, which covers the middle elevated portion of the arch. This shield is provided with a depending stud or pin 6, arranged to engage a hole in the single strap 7, which extends under the shield and over the end cross-bars. The front cross-bar 3 is relatively depressed and suiiiciently separated from the shield to permit the insertion of two thicknesses of the strap and is provided with a central bent tongue 8, which projects upwardly, or in the opposite direction from the stud 6, and then forwardly and is passed through a hole in the end of the strap 9, such strap being' looped upon itself and passing over the cross-bar 3 'beneath the strap 7.

When the strap 9 is arranged in the position shown in Fig. 2, it cannot slip off nor back down and come loose. It will be noted that the bent tongue 8 comes beneath the extension of the strap 7, which covers and hides it, prevents the tongue from catching outside articles, and securely holds the looped end of strap 9 without sewing. At the same time the end of the loop 9 passing between strap 7 and cross-bar 3 prevents the accidental disengagement of the overlying strap from the stud 6.

The advantages of my invention result from the use of the bent tongue on the lower front cross-bar, since it serves to retain the end of the strap in place without sewing and prevents the loosening of the through-strap from the stud by reason of the backing afforded by the end of the loop. The strap ends are preferably inclosed in a general loop 10 in the usual manner.

Variations may be made in the form and arrangement ofthe buckle, the shield, and the bent tongue without departing from my invention.

I claim# A harness-buckle comprising two arched parallel side members having transverse end bars and a central cross-shield connecting the side members above the level of the end bars, the shield having a depending stud, the front cross-bar having an upstanding tongue projecting' in the opposite direction to that of the stud and having a forwardly-bent portion below the level of the shield, the slot between the shield and the front cross-bar being arranged to receive two thicknesses of the strap, while the rear slot between the shield and the rear cross-bar isv arranged to receive one thickness of the strap, the stud being arranged to pass through the strap which extends through both slots and overlies the tongue which secures the strap end; substantially as described.

In testimonywhereof I have hereunto set my hand.

MELANCTHON E. ZELLER. Witnesses:

W. B. GIERHART, WM. H. FISHER. 

